Summer of Cricket

[gabriel]

Well , the WI are sucking at the moment. Big time. You know, the Gabba should have people falling out the doors but no-one's interested. It doesn't help that the no fun police have banned anything that anyone could consider as being entertaining.

Where's the Don when you need him?

[gabriel]

Well the WI were squashed and I mean that in the fullest sense of the word in the 1st test in Brisbane.

Here in the 2nd test in Adelaide the pitch must be a batsman's dream. Aust 1st innings 10/ 439; WI 1st innings 10/451. That's almost 1000 runs scored in the 1st innings.

Stumps Day 3 WI 0/23. I like to see runs scored. That's what makes cricket so great.

[gabriel]

So, here we go. Today's score card.

wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=980410

Benn gives Windies slight edge
By Steve Larkin18:37 AEST Sun Dec 6 2009

Spinner Sulieman Benn snared five wickets to give West Indies an edge over Australia on day three of the second Test in Adelaide.

Benn's Test best return was the key in restricting Australia to 439 all out - a dozen runs shy of the Windies' first innings total.

At stumps, West Indies were 0-23 from four overs in their second innings, an overall lead of 35 runs with two days remaining.

Benn claimed all his five wickets on Sunday as Australia lost 10 wickets for 265.

Shane Watson (96), Simon Katich (80), Michael Clarke (71) and Brad Haddin (55no) made significant contributions.

Benn finished with 5-155 from 53 from overs while paceman Kemar Roach claimed three wickets.

The lanky left-armer's success began with the second ball on Sunday when he dashed the maiden Test century dream of Watson.

The Australian, without adding to his overnight score, missed an attempted pull shot from a short ball and was bowled.

His opening partner Katich soon became Benn's second victim, getting an inside edge onto his pads which lobbed to Adrian Barath at short leg.

Captain Ricky Ponting looked in fine touch but, on 36, smacked a trademark pull shot from Roach's bowling straight to Dwayne Bravo at midwicket.

Roach impressed with a sustained spell of fast bowling either side of lunch, and was deservedly rewarded with the scalp of Mike Hussey, who battled for 41 from 126 balls before feathering an edge to 'keeper Denesh Ramdin from an attempted cut.

Benn then made a rapid double strike after tea, dismissing Marcus North (16) and Michael Clarke (71).

North was unlucky - a missed sweep attempt hit his leg before the ball scraped the back of his bat on the way to leg slip.

Clarke could not blame ill fortune for the end to his polished knock - the vice-captain half-heartedly waved his bat outside off stump in neither defence or offence and snicked a catch to first slip.

Mitchell Johnson (7) quickly came and went, caught in the slips to give Darren Sammy his first victim as Australia, who had resumed in a position of power at 0-174, toppled to 7-377.

Nathan Hauritz (17) combined with 'keeper-batsman Haddin in a 41-run stand before becoming another Roach victim, gloving a hook attempt to Ramdin.

Benn then completed his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket by dismissing Peter Siddle for a duck, the Australian edging an attempted drive to gully.

Haddin registered his half-century with a six over midwicket from Benn's bowling before No.11 Doug Bollinger was run out trying to let his partner retain strike.

[gabriel]

Well, Bayle made 150 odd. They have resurrected themselves for the moment but haven't got back the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy.

Maybe it says more about the state of AU cricket than it does the state of WI cricket.

[gabriel]

Well, Clarke and Tingle/Bingle have called it quits.

Clarke's an absolute idiot for getting caught up with her in the 1st place. This media circus about her nude photos taken by Fevola is not what cricket should be about. He's an idiot and she sucks. Literally. He gifted her an Aston Martin and it was stolen. It was returned. Not so sure about the massive diamond he plunked on her hand.

No way should he ever become captain of Australia. JMO.

wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1026979

Heat on Clarke, Smith in spotlight
By Greg Buckle 18:12 AEST Sat Mar 13 2010


Australia's Test cricket squad won't be training until Tuesday but there'll be plenty of action before then.

The main interest in the build-up to Friday's first Test against New Zealand in Wellington will be the arrival of vice-captain Michael Clarke, who quit the one-day series five days ago to sort out his private life in Sydney.

Clarke, 28, ended his engagement to model Lara Bingle following the nude photo scandal which has dominated newspapers and talkback radio in Australia for the past week.

While the majority of the Test-only players are due to arrive in Wellington on Monday, media and public interest will be high on both sides of the ditch for any sighting of Clarke in the team hotel, or anywhere for that matter.

NSW team-mate Steve Smith will be a bystander to the media circus surrounding Clarke over the next few days, but the youngster could find himself in the spotlight by Friday.

The 20-year-old leg-spinner is fresh from a stunning return of 7-64 in South Australia's second innings in this week's Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.

Smith's 772 Shield runs this summer at 77.20, including four centuries, have put him right in the frame for a Test debut at the expense of out-of-form West Australian Marcus North.

North, who has averaged under 25 in Shield cricket, finds himself in a desperate situation and has no warm-up game in Wellington in the coming days to prove his worth, having failed to grasp opportunities in the Test series in January against Pakistan when he averaged 10.25.

Queensland quick Ryan Harris, who took eight wickets in the first four one-day international games against New Zealand before being rested for game five on Saturday with a toe complaint, is expected to be fit to play in the first Test if required.

The uncapped Harris and one-Test Victorian paceman Clint McKay will be competing for a spot alongside Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson.

AUSTRALIA squad: Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Phillip Hughes, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Steven Smith, Shane Watson.

So, this leads me to a familiar complaint of mine. Test cricketers are paid too much money. Way too much. And Indian bookies salivating over who they will will bribe is a situation that still needs to be resolved.
This crap is Beckham/what's her name stuff. It's not cricket. it shouldn't be.

[gabriel]

Well, there you go. The pup made a century. And he thanked the bingle.

wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1029267

Clarke pays tribute to Bingle
18:24 AEST Fri Mar 19 2010

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Michael Clarke paid tribute to his ex-fiancee Lara Bingle on Friday after scoring an unbeaten 100 in the first Test against New Zealand.

Clarke's credentials as a future Test skipper were held up to severe public scrutiny after he spent last week in Sydney away from the team, missing three one-day internationals.

He announced the end of his engagement to bikini model Lara Bingle last Friday and returned to Wellington on Monday, as a media circus surrounded the high-profile couple's split.

But the Test vice-captain answered the critics the best way he could - on the field - with an emotional hundred to guide his side to 4-316 at stumps on day one at Wellington's Basin Reserve.

"My first ten runs took a hell of a long time today," said Clarke, who was nine not out at tea off 45 balls.

"It's a very special feeling any time you make a hundred but it's been a tough couple of weeks.

"The support I've had from family, friends, teammates - I've spoken to you guys about not wanting to talk about my personal life but the support I've had from Lara as well has been tremendous.

"Lara has copped a lot of criticism over the last couple of weeks and it takes a very strong woman to be able to handle that.

"Without her and her support I certainly wouldn't have been back over here. To my family and friends that have supported me and Lara, I thank them very much."

Clarke dropped his guard briefly, swallowing hard and taking a moment to compose himself at his press conference as the emotion of the occasion swept over him.

His innings was one of toughness, discipline and eventually some risky shot-making as Clarke admitted he couldn't stop thinking about his hundred in the closing overs and decided to go for broke.

"I probably got to a stage at about 80 where I said to Northy, I can't stop thinking about my hundred," Clarke admitted.

"I played some horrible shots from 50 to a hundred but I had a bit of luck.

"For some reason I couldn't stop thinking about it. I was happy to get there tonight, I don't think I would have slept too much if it was on 98 or 99."

Marcus North breathed new life into his Test career with a fine innings of 52 not out.

The pair shared a 140-run partnership for the fifth wicket.

Clarke, who had left Australia's one-day tour of New Zealand last week to sort out his relationship with Bingle, announced last Friday that the celebrity couple's engagement was off.

Clarke took 102 balls to reach his half-century and then just 39 to reach his 14th Test hundred and second in two Tests, kissing his helmet and hugging North in celebration.

Clarke hit 10 fours and two sixes. The 28-year-old was stuck on nine from 45 balls at tea before playing some dashing strokes in the final session.

It was also a key moment for North, who averaged only 10.25 in the Test series against Pakistan in January before hitting a chanceless half-century on Friday.

Opener Simon Katich made 79 in four hours and 20 minutes.

Ricky Ponting was run out for 41 after a mix-up with Katich.

Opener Phillip Hughes made 20, after winning a recall following the withdrawal of Shane Watson with a gluteal-muscle strain.

Hughes fell to debutant seamer Brent Arnel (2-70).

Well, the pup was emotional. Oh shucks. Did you know in Australian slang, a bingle is an accident? The pup sure had one. Australian captain? When Bradman turns in his grave. Or Richie Benaud, if he ever dies. Whichever, Bradman or Benaud. Or the Bingle.

[firedancer]

We are halfway to getting a decent English cricket team now. Despite a late hiccup, a 3-0 winning lead in the ODIs against Australia and T/Twenty world champions. Just hope we don't come crashing down to earth in November when the Ashes get under way in Australia and the Aussies are fielding their top bowlers again.....

[gabriel]

The latest scandal to hit cricket is the Pakistan captain caught red-handed with marked notes in his London hotel and on the field.

India and Pakistan have brought disgrace to cricket. IMO they should both be thrown out of international comps for as long as it takes until they get their acts together. Indian bookies pay players to throw games and it seems the Pakistanis can't wait to get their hands on the money.

I just hope they were paid in Euros. However, sigh, I'm guessing it was in sterling.

[aubrey]

No! We can't kick Pakistan out!! They're a team we can beat.

[firedancer]

Be interesting to see what reception Pakistan get at Cardiff this afternoon when the Twenty/20 gets underway......

[Big Lin]

The trouble is that instead of us just thinking that Pakistan were a young team making a lot of mistakes you automatically start wondering if they're deliberately throwing matches.

Very sad!

[gabriel]

lin he was caught with marked money. I'm not sure how much more evidence the cops need but I wouldn't think it would be a lot.

Fixing matches is not right.

John Howard was 'in line' to be the next head of the ICC. He is a cricket desperate but the sub-continent members voted against him and he wasn't chosen. I'm starting to believe now that it was because he wouldn't tolerate this behaviour and would go after the parties involved - India and Pakistan.

The new ICC head is from NZ and I trust that he will go after these countries. There are few enough countries now that play the game. It's a great tradition and bind for those that do.

I live across from a park and they've been back now, for the last few weeks, starting to practise. It's Spring now so we're heading back into cricket season. These kids and adults wear white. No colours, just white. Because that's what you wear when you play cricket.

And they play for the love of the game. Not for how many used tenners can be shoved into your bag in a London hotel room.

[aubrey]

I can think of ways in which it is possible to have marked money while not having taken a bribe. "Lend us a tenner till Friday."

[gabriel]

www.independent.co.uk/sport/cricket/police-find-cash-in-pakistan-cricketers-rooms-amid-bribery-charges-2065554.html

If you're interested, read the whole article. I'll just post this.

The verdict of Dr Asim Safdar, one of many Pakistan cricket fans who formed part of a relatively sparse crowd at Lord's yesterday, was damning. "They need to cancel the one-day series, cancel the Twenty20s, and give all the spectators their money back," he said. "I've got two tickets for one of the one-day games. I'm selling them on eBay, even if they make a loss. I just want to get rid of them. And I'm not going to get up in the middle of the night to watch them play in the World Cup next year. I'm fed up with it."

The final session of the fourth Test match was suddenly charged with less sporting tension perhaps than any ever played at the home of cricket. "It's always Pakistan," said Dr Safdar's friend Dr Asad Saleemi. "These things seem to follow them around. The team needs to be suspended from international cricket. The players concerned must be given life bans. We're doctors. If we did something like this, we'd be struck off."

Around the bars and food stands, the allegations in the News of the World overshadowed everything. "My friends have been texting me telling me to boo the team," said Dr Safdar, as the final wicket tumbled. "You see. Was that fixed? Is he trying? You don't know now do you? I spend so much time and money following the team: what's the point?"

"People in Pakistan are going through such turmoil," said Dr Saleemi. "And then there's these guys, who are supposed to be international representatives, pocketing huge sums of money. People have come to expect it from the crooked politicians, but cricket is the dream of every kid from a poor background. They are seen as heroes."

This guy makes a point a lot of us are now feeling. Was that game fixed? 20/20 is bad for the game. How can you trust these guys to be doing their best? You can't. Cricket is about more than flashy colours and trying to belt the ball over the fence every time it's bowled.

It's about strategy, and talent, and courage, and sportsmanship.

It's not about Indian bookies and Pakistani captains selling their teams and the sport out.

[gabriel]

Well now, the finger has been pointed at the English team for match fixing and taking bribes. Say it isn't so!! Not the Poms. That really would be the death knell. It was bad enough they brought Bodyline against us in the 30's - not very gentlemanlike behaviour. They've been accused of throwing last Friday's match against Pakistan by..guess who? Pakistan.

You know, I would personally think that after all the death and destruction in Pakistan caused by the enormous floods, that that disaster would be the main focus of everyone in Pakistan. But no, apparently, the chaps who play cricket for Pakistan at test level (and their bookies) believe that keeping next year's World Cup is more important.

It just doesn't seem like cricket to me.

[Big Lin]

I think England's batting is inconsistent enough for them to lose matches without any need for bribery.

It's all very sad.

Mind you, Hanse Cronje was caught out, wasn't he?

[gabriel]

Sept 21, 2010 12:06:56 GMT Big Lin said:

I think England's batting is inconsistent enough for them to lose matches without any need for bribery.

It's all very sad.

Mind you, Hanse Cronje was caught out, wasn't he?

Do you mean on the field or off the field?

Once you get the whiff of fixing, then who are you going to believe?

And it's creeping through the game and it's not good.

I want to know that the Australian cricket team goes up against other sides in a fair contest.

No fixing, no betting, no nothing. From our side or the other side.

I just want to watch a game based on skill, determination and strategy.

I've sat at the Gabba before all the modernisation when you could literally touch the English side. We'd give them a bit of encouragement but we always knew that every bloke out there was doing his best. It was the Ashes and you wouldn't expect anything less.

Bookies in cricket is a bad thing. They're only after making a quid and that's not going to do cricket any good.

[alanseago]

Sing it loud!

[aubrey]

Gambling corrupts everything it touches.

(That is a great song, Alan.)

[gabriel]

Was a good song Alan. WI are another case in point. Forget the glory years with Michael Holding etc. WI has long ceased to be a force in cricket.
Instead of playing cricket, they're playing baseball. Go to the US, make a mint of money playing that game. I suppose I can't really blame them. I been Jamaica man and it's not somewhere I'd choose to live especially if I came from a disadvantaged background.

But still, the sooner the ICC sweeps the rot out of the game, the better.

[aubrey]

WI are good when they're winning, but don't seem to try when it looks like they might lose.


Our lass and her sister are watching the last Eng-Pak match now. It's been good, what I've seen of it. When I came in here, it was looking like Pakistan might win.

[gabriel]

England won by 121 runs. That is, if the Pakis didn't throw the match because their bookies told them to.

[aubrey]

It would be a lot easier (in that there aren't as many of them) to bribe the umpires: two dodgy LBW decisions in Egland's favour in this match.

[aubrey]

Over now.

It's a long time till the Ashes, as well - nearly 2 months.

[aubrey]

By the way, the bribery thing.

In the Novel Flashman's Lady by George MacDonald Fraser, there is an account of someone honourably, or at least not dishonourably, taking a bribe to throw a one-a-side cricket match. Actually, this person is Flashman himself, and it's one of the few not dishonourable things he does.

How it's done, is that he is bribed to play his best in two or three matches (he refuses the money, but finds it in his pocket, I think it is, after the game, and can't find anyone to give it back to: he might be a cad, but he's not stupid). Anyway, a few matches down the line, and he's told to throw a game: which is a bit of a sod, as the bloke he's playing against is going to take Flashman's wife on a cruise if he wins, and Flashman doesn't trust him above half. A lot happens after that.